Online Degrees and CLEP and DSST Exam Prep Discussion
Advice for an old newbie?? - Printable Version

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Advice for an old newbie?? - rure - 07-24-2011

Hi, I just signed up after being referred to you.

Can you read this note and give me advice as "HOW" to best proceed? Am I thinking clearly and headed down the right path as I jump in?

I'm 47, been in the same profession for 25 years, and for some reason find myself motivated to "finish my degree".

I took about 3 semesters of junior college back in the 80's and I have my transcripts (Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa, CA). I really didn't like school at all and dropped out, opting instead to jump right into business. In my line of work (Computer Technologies and Consulting Services), I have passed a number of certification exams over the years. I also take computer based trainings every quarter as required by my employer, and must pass on-line tests. So I feel like I am a quick study and a good test taker. Your service seems to be a good fit for me.

My thinking is that maybe I should work first to complete AA through the CLEP process as much as I can... I can stop there and feel like I have at least finished what I started so many years ago.
And, if I get in a groove and can CLEP onward, perhaps I will shoot to complete a BA.

My company will reimburse me for actual college expenses... In the end, I will enroll where I need to in order to cover things that I cannot CLEP my way through. BUT, I like the idea of CLEPping, because I am more interested in going fast and not wasting time.

Questions:

1. Is this a logical plan I've outlined above?

2. Should I go back to my original school and ask them what courses I need in light of what I already completed, to complete my AA... and then find out how many of those I can CLEP on?

3. Or would it be better to forward my transcripts to something like Excelsior or Thomas Edison State, enrol there, and let them combine my past units with new ones I will get through CLEP activity?

I really appreciate your advice... Im leery of wasting time or false starts. Answers and suggestions are most welcomed!

Thank you!

Advice for an old newbie?? - KyleH - 07-24-2011

I'm definitely not the best source, but I'll see if I can answer some questions before all the wise masters get here.
rure Wrote:I took about 3 semesters of junior college back in the 80's and I have my transcripts (Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa, CA). I really didn't like school at all and dropped out, opting instead to jump right into business. In my line of work (Computer Technologies and Consulting Services), I have passed a number of certification exams over the years. I also take computer based trainings every quarter as required by my employer, and must pass on-line tests. So I feel like I am a quick study and a good test taker. Your service seems to be a good fit for me.
I think your best bet is to submit all those certificates and transcripts to Thomas Edison State College (or Excelsior, or both) to see what you'll get credit for and how. This'll give you a pretty clear picture of what you want to do.

rure Wrote:My thinking is that maybe I should work first to complete AA through the CLEP process as much as I can... I can stop there and feel like I have at least finished what I started so many years ago.
And, if I get in a groove and can CLEP onward, perhaps I will shoot to complete a BA.
Yeah.....the AA is a good goal but it seems like most people get half way to the BA and go "oh why not" and do the other half.

rure Wrote:1. Is this a logical plan I've outlined above?
Yes!

rure Wrote:2. Should I go back to my original school and ask them what courses I need in light of what I already completed, to complete my AA... and then find out how many of those I can CLEP on?
No. Community colleges can be picky. I know somebody who went back to Fullerton after 20 years with over 60 credits and they basically said "start over." Send those transcripts to one of the big three, and for around $75 they'll tell you what you actually need.

Especially if your employer will pay tuition.

rure Wrote:3. Or would it be better to forward my transcripts to something like Excelsior or Thomas Edison State, enrol there, and let them combine my past units with new ones I will get through CLEP activity?
Yeah, that. Though you don't need to enroll until you've gotten all your CLEPs out of the way. Just apply.

rure Wrote:I really appreciate your advice... Im leery of wasting time or false starts. Answers and suggestions are most welcomed!
I know how that feels. Best of luck!

Advice for an old newbie?? - ryoder - 07-24-2011

Ditto.

Don't waste your time with CC imho. You can complete a few very worthwhile degrees with 100% testing out. The TESC BSBA general management is one of them.

If I were you I would spend some time looking at the BSBA course plans posted on this site and get started immediately in tackling some CLEP tests. I was in a similar boat to you last October and now I have a BSBA CIS from TESC, am 3 months away from a second bachelors degree and am over 1/3 done with an MBA.

Since you are an adult and have been in the workforce, the BSBA will be a great choice. You already know some of the material and the finer points will fall into place while studying very easily.

Go get started and good luck!

Advice for an old newbie?? - rure - 07-24-2011

KyleH and Ryoder, this is exactly the advice I was hoping to get!! SO APPRECIATED !! Thanks,

- Rob

ps. If others have more comments or suggestions, please continue to post!

Advice for an old newbie?? - irnbru - 07-24-2011

Hi rure,

Just my 2 cents and another voice in. Your perspective is very reasonable and it seems like you've done some research. Forget the old community college and start fresh. However, check Excelsior and TESC's catalogs against your professional certificates to see if any are worth college credits. Meanwhile, start knocking out those general education requirements through CLEP/DSST/ALEKS/Straighterline, looking at an associates with the idea at the back of your mind that you might well plow on through to a bachelor's.

Good luck!

Advice for an old newbie?? - rure - 07-24-2011

irnbru Wrote:Hi rure,

Just my 2 cents and another voice in. Your perspective is very reasonable and it seems like you've done some research. Forget the old community college and start fresh. However, check Excelsior and TESC's catalogs against your professional certificates to see if any are worth college credits. Meanwhile, start knocking out those general education requirements through CLEP/DSST/ALEKS/Straighterline, looking at an associates with the idea at the back of your mind that you might well plow on through to a bachelor's.

Good luck!

Thanks Irnbru. Can you suggest how to translate some of my old technical certs into units? I think some of my old Novell Certifications had unit points through ACE? I also have a few courses that provided CEU's... but I dont think those will help me here.

Advice for an old newbie?? - bricabrac - 07-24-2011

Hi rure,

I agree with all that has been said; congratulations on taking this step towards completing your degree. You will be surprised on how fast the process really is when you take ownership of your program.

I can help steer you towards the information available at TESC.

List of degree programs Thomas Edison State College | What You Can Study

Here is the info on Novell certification credit awarded at TESC Thomas Edison State College | Other Licenses and Certifications

You can also check the new 2011-2012 college catalog Undergraduate Ways to Earn Credit, pgs 191-203 Thomas Edison State College | Publications

Good luck!

Advice for an old newbie?? - rure - 07-24-2011

bricabrac Wrote:Hi rure,

I agree with all that has been said; congratulations on taking this step towards completing your degree. You will be surprised on how fast the process really is when you take ownership of your program.

I can help steer you towards the information available at TESC.

List of degree programs Thomas Edison State College | What You Can Study

Here is the info on Novell certification credit awarded at TESC Thomas Edison State College | Other Licenses and Certifications

You can also check the new 2011-2012 college catalog Undergraduate Ways to Earn Credit, pgs 191-203 Thomas Edison State College | Publications

Good luck!

Bricabrac: THANK YOU!